There is little formal breast cancer training for these nurses. Professor Jenny Edge started the Breast Course for Nurses in 2012 to bridge the gap between primary nursing and early detection of changes in patients’ breasts. 

The training provided is aimed at equipping primary health care providers with the knowledge and skills required to manage patients with breast problems.

The Breast Course for Nurses is designed for primary nurses working in low middle-income countries where there are no state-financed breast cancer screening facilities. In the absence of regular mammography, clinical breast examination is crucial to downstage breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. 

To date, over 700 health care providers have completed the Breast Course for Nurses in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Malawi. The course has been adapted for other countries. 

In many places in Southern Africa, the first contact for women with breast complaints is with a nurse in a primary clinic. 

The Breast Course for Nurses aims to equip. Photo supplied

The Breast Course for Nurses is an NPO aimed at equipping primary health care providers with the knowledge and skills required to manage patients with breast problems. 

The course is aimed at primary health care nurses, although any medical professionals may attend.

The course was first started in 2012 by Dr Jenny Edge, along with a few nurses from a local hospital. The course was well received by these nurses, and slowly it grew to become a more formal course. 

In 2014, Sr Lieske Wegelin joined Dr Edge and assisted with running the Breast Course for Nurses. This allowed it to expand and register as an NPO.

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.

OFM News mvh